Phase and frequency locked motor control system and method of motor control

Abstract

 A phase and frequency locked motor control system for controlling phase and frequency operation of a disk drive spindle motor (12) comprises: a motor power stage circuit (32) for supplying power to the motor (12), and a commutation logic circuit (36) for controlling operation of the power stage; circuitry (40) for generating a motor signal representative of motor rotating frequency and phase; a reference circuit (28) for generating a reference signal representative of a reference rotating frequency and phase; a comparing circuit (38, 48) for comparing the motor signal with the reference signal and for generating an error signal representative of error between the motor signal frequency and phase and the reference signal frequency and phase; and an error responsive circuit (78) responsive to the error signal for generating a pulse width modulated motor control signal having a duty cycle representative of the error, and for coupling the motor control signal to the commutation logic circuit (36) for regulating operation of the power stage circuit (32) to drive the motor in phase and frequency locked relation with said reference signal.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to phase and frequency locked motor control systems and to methods of controlling the phase and frequency operation of motors. More particularly, although not so restricted, the present invention relates to an improved, relatively simple and relatively economical control system and method for concurrently operating multiple disk drive units in a manner providing a significantly expanded data storage capability.

[0002] In recent years, micro-computer equipment particularly such as so-called personal and desk top computers have become extremely popular for a wide variety of business, educational and other uses. Such computers commonly include a main central processor unit having one or more memory storage disks for storage of data. In many modern computers, the storage disk or disks are often provided in the form of "hard" disks as part of a Winchester-type disk drive unit having the storage disks supported in a stack on a common rotary spindle within a substantially sealed disk drive housing. The disks are rotatably driven in unison by a small spindle motor within a substantially sealed housing of the disk drive unit, and one or more electro­magnetic heads are displaced by a head positioner assembly to traverse surfaces of the rotating disks for purposes of reading and writing data. Such Winchester-­type disk drive units have been produced relatively economically for general purpose micro-computer applications. When the disk drive unit is equipped with multiple memory storage disks, the total disk surface area is increased to result in an increased data storage capacity. For example, Winchester-type disk drive units for personal computer applications are currently available with from one to four disks providing data storage capacities in the range of about 5-40 megabytes.

[0003] In some specialised applications of personal computers and the like, there is a demand for a significantly expanded data storage capacity. However, practical costs and standardised size constraints have generally prohibited provision of significantly expanded memory capacities, for example, in the range of 75-80 megabytes and higher, in the personal computer environment. By contrast, such memory capacities are available in larger, so-called main frame computers either by the use of significantly larger Winchester-­type disk drive units having a substantially increased number of data storage disks, or by the use of costly digital electronic control arrangements for linking multiple disk drive units in frequency and phase locked relation to permit function as a common memory bank. These approaches to expand data storage capacity, however, are generally recognised as impractical in a personal or desk top computer environment as a result of cost and/or size restrictions.

[0004] There exists, therefore, a significant need for a system and method of achieving substantial increases in data storage capacity in personal type computer equipment, in a cost-saving and space-efficient manner. The present invention seeks to provide a phase and frequency locked motor control system which is relatively simple and economical for controlled rotatable driving of a computer disk drive unit or the like to permit multiple disk drive units to be connected in a manner yielding a significantly expanded data storage capacity. The present invention is designed particularly, although not exclusively, for use in a micro-computer environment such as personal and desk top computers and the like. The system operates multiple disk drive units in rotational frequency and phase locked relation to permit, for example, parallel data transfer, and thereby correspondingly permit the multiple disk drive units to emulate a data storage base of significantly expanded data storage capacity.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a phase and frequency locked motor control system for controlling phase and frequency operation of a disk drive spindle motor, said system characterised by comprising: driving means for driving the spindle motor, said driving means including a motor power stage circuit for supplying power to the motor, and a commutation logic circuit for controlling operation of said power stage; means for generating a motor signal representative of motor rotating frequency and phase; means for generating a reference signal representative of a reference rotating frequency and phase; comparing means for comparing said motor signal with said reference signal and for generating an error signal representative of error between said motor signal frequency and phase and said reference signal frequency and phase; and error responsive means responsive to said error signal for generating a pulse width modulated motor control signal having a duty cycle representative of said error, and for coupling said motor control signal to said commutation logic circuit for regulating operation of said power stage circuit to drive the motor in phase and frequency locked relation with said reference signal.

[0006] Said comparing means may include means for generating a digital output error signal, and means for converting said digital output error signal to an analog error signal, said error responsive means comprising means for modulating said analog error signal to produce said pulse width modulated motor control signal.

[0007] Said comparing means may comprise an error detector having means for generating a first output error signal when said motor signal frequency trails said reference signal frequency, a second output error signal when said motor signal frequency leads said reference signal frequency, a third output error signal when said motor signal frequency substantially matches said reference signal frequency and said motor signal phase trails said reference signal phase, and a fourth output error signal when said motor signal frequency substantially matches said reference signal frequency and said motor signal phase leads said reference signal phase, said error detector generating said first to fourth output signals one at a time in accordance with the frequency and phase of the motor signal relative to the reference signal.

[0008] Preferably said first and second output error signals comprise substantially constant signals, and said third and fourth output error signals comprise pulse width modulated signals. Said comparing means may further include means responsive to the generated one of said first to fourth output error signals generated by said error detector for generating an analog error signal representative of said error between said motor signal frequency and phase and said reference signal frequency and phase.

[0009] In one embodiment said means for generating said analog error signal includes sampling means for sampling the generated one of said first to fourth output error signals generated by said error detector on a repetitive basis to generate said analog error signal. Said sampling means may include means for integrating the generated one of said first to fourth output signals generated by said error detector, a signal storage circuit and switch means for repetitively coupling said storage circuit to said integrating means to transfer the signal integrated by said integrating means to said storage circuit. Said storage circuit may comprise a resistor-capacitor network having a storage capacitor coupled to a voltage divider, said voltage divider reducing the effects of noise on the signal transferred to said storage circuit.

[0010] Said error responsive means may comprise modulating means for modulating said analog error signal to produce said pulse width modulated motor control signal.

[0011] The system may include a loop filter for filtering said analog error signal for predetermined dynamic responsive characteristics to produce a filtered, analog error signal, said modulating means, in operation, modulating said filtered analog error signal.

[0012] Said comparing means may comprise an error detector for generating a first output error signal representative of said motor signal leading said reference signal, and a second output error signal representative of said motor signal trailing said reference signal, said error detector, in operation, generating said first and second output error signals one at a time, said comparing means further including an analog sample circuit including means for sampling and integrating the generated one of said first and second output error signals in a repetitive manner, a signal storage circuit and means for transferring the signal integrated by said integrating means to said storage circuit to produce an analog error signal representative of said error, said error responsive means comprising means for modulating said analog error signal to produce said pulse width modulated motor control signal.

[0013] In the illustrated embodiment said power stage circuit comprises a CMOS network including a plurality of MOSFETs gated individually by said commutation logic.

[0014] In operation, said motor signal may comprise a servo index pulse.

[0015] Preferably said motor control system is provided with each of a plurality of disk drive spindle motors, said means for generating a reference signal comprising means for generating a common reference signal for said plurality of spindle motors.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a phase and frequency locked motor control system for controlling phase and frequency operation of a disk drive spindle motor, said system being characterised by comprising: means for driving the spindle motor, said driving means including a motor power stage circuit for supplying power to the motor, and a commutation logic circuit for controlling operation of said power stage; means for generating a motor signal representative of motor rotating frequency and phase; means for generating a reference signal representative of a reference rotating frequency and phase; an error detector for receiving said motor signal and said reference signal and responding thereto to generate an output error signal representative of error between said motor signal frequency and/or phase and said reference signal frequency and/or phase; a sample circuit including means for sampling and integrating said output error signal to produce an analog error signal representative of said frequency and/or phase error; and a modulator circuit arranged to be driven by said analog error signal to produce a pulse width modulated motor control signal having a duty cycle representative of said error, and for coupling said motor control signal to said commutation logic circuit for regulating operation of said power stage circuit to drive the spindle motor in phase and frequency locked relation with said reference signal.

[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a phase and frequency locked motor control system for controlling phase and frequency operation of a disk drive spindle motor, said system being characterised by comprising: means for driving the spindle motor, said driving means including a motor power stage circuit for supplying power to the motor, and a commutation logic for controlling operation of said power stage; means for generating a motor signal representative of motor rotating frequency and phase; means for generating a reference signal representative of a reference rotating frequency and phase; an error detector circuit having first and second output ports, said error detector circuit including means for comparing said motor signal and said reference signal and responding thereto to produce an output error signal defined by a substantially constant output error signal at said first output port when said motor signal frequency trails said reference signal frequency, a pulse width modulated output error signal at said first output port and having a duty cycle representative of phase error when said motor signal frequency substan­ tially matches said reference signal frequency and said motor signal phase trails said reference signal phase, a substantially constant output error signal at said second output port when said motor signal frequency leads said reference signal frequency, and a pulse width modulated output error signal at said second output port when said motor signal frequency substan­tially matches said reference signal frequency and said motor signal phase leads said reference signal phase; an analog sample circuit including a first analog switch coupled to said first output port and a second analog switch coupled to said second output port, said first and second switches in operation closing in response to said output error signal at the associated one of said output ports, integrator means for integrating and storing a charge in accordance with the time closure period of said analog switches, said charge defining an analog error signal; and means for modulating said analog error signal to produce a pulse width modulated motor control signal having a duty cycle representative of error between said motor and reference signals, and for coupling said motor control signal to said commutation logic circuit for regulating operation of said power stage to drive the motor in phase and frequency locked relation with said reference signal.

[0018] According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling phase and frequency operation of a disk drive spindle motor having a motor power stage circuit for supplying power to the spindle motor, and a commutation logic circuit for controlling operation of said power stage circuit, said method being characterised by comprising: generating a motor signal representative of motor rotating frequency and phase; generating a reference signal representative of a reference rotating frequency and phase; comparing said motor signal and said reference signal and for generating in response thereto an output error signal representative of error between the motor signal and the reference signal; converting the output error signal to a pulse width modulated motor control signal having a duty cycle representative of said error; and coupling the motor control signal to the commutation logic circuit for regulating operation of said power stage circuit to drive the motor in phase and frequency locked relation with the reference signal.

[0019] According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling phase and frequency operation of a disk drive spindle motor having a motor power stage circuit for supplying power to the motor and a commutation logic circuit for controlling operation of said power stage circuit, said method being characterised by comprising: generating a motor signal representative of motor rotating frequency and phase; generating a reference signal representative of a reference rotating frequency and phase; comparing the motor signal and the reference signal and responding thereto to generate an output error signal represen­tative of error between the motor signal and the reference signal; sampling and integrating the output error signal to produce an analog error signal represen­tative of said error; pulse width modulating the analog error signal to produce a pulse width modulated motor control signal having a duty cycle representative of the error; and coupling the motor control signal to said commutation logic circuit for regulating operation of said power stage circuit to drive the motor in phase and frequency locked relation with the reference signal.

[0020] The invention is illustrated, merely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating multiple computer disk drive units including a phase and frequency locked motor control system according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the motor control system of one disk drive unit;

Figure 3 is a logic diagram of a digital error detector circuit of the motor control system of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a graphic representation depicting the general operation of the error detector circuit of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a graph depicting an exemplary output error signal produced by the error detector circuit of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of a sample circuit of the motor control system of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a graphic representation of an analog error signal produced by the sample circuit of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a schematic circuit diagram of a modulator circuit of the motor control system of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a graphic representation of the operation of the modulator circuit of Figure 8 to produce a pulse width modulated motor control signal; and

Figure 10 is a general schematic circuit diagram illustrating motor commutation logic and an associated power stage circuit of the motor control system of Figure 2.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings a phase and frequency locked motor control system 10 according to the present invention is provided for operating a spindle drive motor 12 of each of a plurality (two shown) of computer disk drive units 14 or the like in phase and frequency locked relation. The motor control system 10 provides a relatively simple and economical circuit arrangement for concurrent driving of the disk drive units 14 in a manner permitting those disk drive units to emulate a data storage system of significantly expanded data storage capacity.

[0022] The motor control system 10 is designed parti­cularly for use in modern micro-computer equipment such as in personal and desk top computer applications and the like. The motor control system 10 permits two or more disk drive units 14 to be operated simultaneously for parallel data transfer during read and/or write steps, under the control of a suitable controller (not shown), whereby the disk drive units 14 my be operated as a common data base. As a result, the data storage capacity can be significantly increased without requiring disk drive units of a specialised size or construction or data capacity. Instead, standard commercial disk drive units can be used to double or triple etc. the total data storage capacity of a micro-­computer system, in accordance with the number of disk drive units operated in phase and frequency locked relation.

[0023] As depicted diagrammatically in Figure 1, each of the disk drive units 14 comprises a Winchester-type disk drive unit having one or more so-called "hard" memory storage disks 16 mounted for rotation about a common spindle axis 18. The spindle motor 12 of each disk drive unit rotatably drives the disk or disks 16 in unison at a given rotational speed, typically 3600 rpm, during operation of the disk drive unit. One or more electro-magnetic heads 22 are mounted in close overlying relation with the disk or disks 16 for use in reading and/or writing data in concentric tracks on prepared magnetisable disk surfaces, all in a well known manner. The heads are normally carried by a head positioner assembly 24 adapted for displacing the heads through radial traverses of the disks for the purpose of seeking and/or accessing selected data tracks, again in known manner. All of the components of the disk drive unit are normally encased within a substantially sealed disk drive housing (not shown).

[0024] In general terms, the motor control system 10 is provided as part of each individual disk drive unit 14. The motor control system 10 includes means for detecting the actual rotational frequency (speed) and phase of the associated spindle motor 12 and the disk or disks 16 carried thereby, and for comparison thereof with a target or reference signal 28 of predetermined frequency and phase. This comparison, when processed by the motor control system 10, yields a resultant pulse width modulated motor control signal used to control driving of the spindle motor to obtain and maintain a phase and frequency locked relation with the reference signal 28. When more than one disk drive unit 14 is locked with the same reference signal 28 for matched phase and frequency operation, the disk drive units 14 are correspondingly locked with each other to permit parallel data transfer such that the disk drive units 14 co-operate to emulate a single data storage device of larger size.

[0025] Figure 2 depicts, in block diagram form the motor control system 10 for operating the spindle motor 12 of one of the disk drive units 14. As shown, the spindle motor 12 comprises a three-phase dc motor of the type typically used in computer disk drive units. Power is supplied to the three motor phases via a trio of conductors 30 from an appropriate power stage circuit 32. Commutation feedback signals are obtained from the spindle motor 12 via another trio of conductors 34, wherein these commutation signals are conveniently obtained through the use of Hall-sensor switches (not shown) incorporated into the spindle motor to detect motor speed and phase. The commutation signals are coupled by the conductors 34 to a commutation logic circuit 36 which decodes those signals for regulating the operation of the power stage circuit 32 in a manner obtaining controlled driving of the spindle motor 12 at a specified speed, typically at 3600 rpm in a computer disk drive unit. The specific construction of the commutation logic 36 used with the spindle motor 12 is well known in the art of three-phase dc motors.

[0026] The motor control system 10 functions to ensure motor speed or rotational frequency at the desired target speed by comparison of the actual motor speed with the reference signal 28. When the motor speed substantially matches the frequency of the reference signal, the motor control system 10 functions further to adjust the phase of motor rotation for phased locked rotation with the phase of the reference signal. In this manner, the start point of rotation of the spindle motor 12 and the motor rotational speed are fully synchronised with the reference signal.

[0027] More particularly, the motor control system 10 includes a digital error detector circuit 38 for comparing the actual motor speed and phase with the reference signal 28, and for generating an output error signal with selected characteristics according to the magnitude and direction of any discrepancies. This error detector circuit 38 responds to the reference signal 28 which may comprise a suitable clock pulse obtained internally or externally and, for the sake of convenience, preferably has a regular frequency of 60 Hz to correlate directly with a standard target motor speed of 3600 rpm during normal operation.

[0028] The error detector circuit 38 also receives an appropriate feedback signal representing actual motor speed and phase. During initial start-up of motor rotation, this signal may be obtained by connection to one of the Hall-sensor switch conductors 34 (Figure 2), since the Hall-sensor switches within the motor generate electrical pulse signals in relation to motor speed and phase. In this regard, the error detector circuit 38 may be adapted for use with Hall-sensor switches of either the differential voltage type or the open collector output type. Alternatively, particularly when the spindle motor 12 is rotating at or near the desired speed for steady state operation, an appropriate servo index pulse signal obtained by detection of servo bits on a servo surface of one of the rotating disks 16 can be applied to the error detector circuit 38, wherein the servo index pulses represent the start point of each revolution of the disks and the spindle motor, and thereby may be monitored to track motor speed and phase. The servo index pulse signal is, of course, detected by appropriate servo system elements 40 which are conventionally provided as part of the disk drive unit in association with the controller (not shown) and the head positioner assembly 24 (Figure 1). A select port 42 is provided with the error detector circuit 38 to permit controlled switching between the Hall-sensor signal and the servo index signal during different operating conditions, as desired.

[0029] One example of the error detector circuit 38 is shown in Figure 3, although it will be understood that the specific construction and internal operation of the circuit may vary widely to achieve the same functional output. The error detector circuit of Figure 3 includes a plurality of bistable flip-flops labelled "1" to "8", in combination with NAND gates and inverters for purposes of providing an output error signal on one of two different output ports 44, 46 labelled respectively "UP" and "DN" (down). The application of the reference signal 28 and feedback signal (e.g. servo index) pulses to the error detector circuit effectively switch the flip-flops in a manner yielding the output error signal at the "UP" port 44 when motor speed or phase trails (lags) the reference signal, or yielding the output error signal at the "DN" port 46 when the motor speed or phase leads the reference signal. Accordingly, the presence of the output error signal at the port 44 or the port 46 indicates the direction or polarity or frequency or phase error. The specific signal characteristics of the output signal reflect the presence of frequency error, or, in the alternative, the presence and magnitude of phase error.

[0030] More specifically, the reference signal 28 and feedback signal, such as the servo index pulse signal, are applied to separate flip-flops of the error detector circuit. As represented graphically in Figure 4, the presence of a pulse at the associated flip-flop cause the device to change state. For example, as reference by arrow "A" in Figure 4, a change of state of the flip­flop "1" is caused by a reference signal pulse indicative of a target start point and time for a motor revolution. When that change of state of the flip-flop "1" is not regularly accompanied by a corresponding change of state of the flip-flop "2" due to the absence of an incoming motor signal pulse, as represented at arrow "B" in Figure 4, a phase error is detected by the error detector circuit. In a typical case, such as during start-up of the disk drive unit, the motor phase and frequency will lag the reference frequency and result in a constant output error signal "X" at the "UP" port 44, as viewed in Figure 5, wherein the constant nature of the output error signal reflects the frequency error. However, in the event the motor frequency leads the frequency of the reference signal, a significantly greater number of motor signal pulses will be detected, in comparison with the reference signal pulses, to result in a constant output error signal "X" at the "DN" port 46.

[0031] When the motor frequency is at or near the frequency of the reference signal 28, but a phase error exists, the flip-flops "1" and "2" will change state at points spaced slightly in time. Moreover, the order in which these flip-flops "1" and "2" change state will indicate the polarity or direction of the phase error. For example, as indicated by arrows "C" and"D" in Figure 4, a phase lagging motor will result in change of state of the flip-flop "2" slightly after the flip-flop "1". When such phase lag exists, the error detector circuit times the span between the pulses to produce a pulse width modulated type output error signal "Y" (Figure 5) at the "UP" port 44. Conversely as depicted by arrows "E" and "F" in Figure 4, a phase leading motor will result in change of state of the flip-flop "2" slightly before the flip-flop "1". In this latter condition, the error detector circuit produces the same pulse width type signal "Y" having a timed relation according to the phase lead but at the "DN" port 46. Accordingly, frequency error is indicated by the presence of a full duty cycle error signal at the port 44 or the port 46, depending upon the direction of the error, whereas phase error is indicated by the presence of a partial duty cycle error signal at the port 44 or the port 46.

[0032] The output error signal from the error detector circuit 38 is applied to a sample circuit 48, as viewed schematically in Figure 6. In general terms, this sample circuit 48 includes a pair of analog input switches 50, 52 driven by the output error signal representative of frequency of phase error.

[0033] More particularly, the first analog switch 50 is coupled to a positive reference voltage, whereas the second analog switch 52 is coupled to ground. Both switches 50, 52 are coupled in turn through resistors and a common summing junction to a time interval integrator circuit 54 having a charging capacitor 56 coupled across an operational amplifier 58 for storing a charge applied thereto when the appropriate switch 50, 52 is closed. The switch 50 is adapted to be closed in response to an output error signal at the "UP" port 44. Conversely, the switch 52 is adapted to be closed in response to an output error signal at the "DN" port 46.

[0034] In the sample circuit 48, the charging capacitor 56 will produce a ramp signal in response to closure of either the switch 50 or the switch 52. When the motor frequency lags the frequency of the reference signal, this ramp signal will decrease to a minimum voltage level as the associated analog switch 50 is held closed by the constant output error signal applied thereto. Alternatively, when the motor frequency leads the frequency of the reference signal, an increasing ramp signal results with the signal again reaching a maximum voltage level due to the associated analog switch 52 being held in the closed position by the constant output error signal. A switch 60 is closed in repetitive fashion by a cyclic sample signal 62 produced by the error detector circuit 38 (Figure 3) preferably at a rate of 60Hz and for a closure time sufficient to transfer the accumulated charge of the charging capacitor 56 to a series-connected store portion 63 of the sample circuit 48 including a resistor-capacitor network having a storage capacitor 64. This storage capacitor 64 advantageously has its reference side coupled between resistors of a voltage divider 66 which functions to offset and thus reduce or reject the effects of noise in the system, which noise might otherwise be present. After charge transfer and associated opening of the switch 60, the integrator circuit 54 is re-set by momentary closure of a re-set switch 67 in response to a re-set signal 68 generated by the error detector circuit (Figure 3).

[0035] When the motor frequency and frequency of the reference signal are substantially matched the error detector circuit 38 as previously described produces a pulse width type signal at the appropriate port 44, 46. This signal results in ramping up or down, as appropriate, of the charge at the charging capacitor 56, with a downward ramp representative of phase lag being depicted by way of example in Figure 7. The ramp proceeds for the duration of the duty cycle of the output error signal, as reflected by the time of the closure of the appropriate switch 50, 52. The resultant charge is then transferred to the storage capacitor 64 by closure of the switch 60, as previously described. The storage capacitor 64 samples and stores the peaks of the succession of ramp signals to produce an analog error signal 70 as represented by dotted lines in Figure 7 with respect to a phase lag condition, wherein this signal remains constant between charge transfer events and then may change in increments as the phase error is reduced by the motor control system.

[0036] The analog error signal from the sample circuit 48 thus represents the direction of motor frequency error (high or low), or, if the spindle motor is operating near the desired rotational frequency, the analog error signal represents the magnitude and direction of motor phase error relative to the reference signal. This analog error signal is coupled through a buffer amplifier (Figure 6) to a loop filter circuit 74 (Figure 2) for tailoring and controlling the selected dynamic response characteristics of the motor control circuit 10. The specific construction and frequency range and time response characteristics of the loop filter 74 may vary, although the overall design and operation will be readily appreciated. In general terms, however, in a computer disk drive environment, the loop filter will filter out relatively high frequency disturbances whilst increasing the response dynamics to anticipated low frequency disturbances. A resultant filter output signal 76 from the loop filter 74 is obtained and supplied to a modulator circuit 78.

[0037] The modulator circuit 78 is shown in simplified form in Figure 8. The filter output signal 76 is coupled as one input to a comparator 80, wherein this filter output signal comprises a filtered dc voltage having a magnitude representative of the frequency or phase error between the actual motor operation and the reference signal 28. A second input of the comparator 80 comprises the output of an oscillator 82 designed to produce a generally triangular wave signal at an appropriate frequency of typically about 30 kHz, as depicted by signal 83 in Figure 9. The oscillator signal 83 is compared to the filter output signal 76 to provide an output motor control signal pulse whenever the filter output 76 exceeds the oscillator signal 83. In effect, this produces a succession of pulses 84 (Figure 9) defining a pulse width modulated control signal having a duty cycle related directly to the magnitude of the filter output signal 76. That is, as a phase lag error increases, the value of the signal 76 as derived from the analog error signal (Figure 6) will increase resulting in an increased duty cycle of the motor control signal. Conversely, an increase in phase lead error will result in an increase in the filter output signal 76 for corresponding decrease in the duty cycle of the motor control signal. In the illustrated embodiment, a motor control signal of minimum duty cycle reflects phase and frequency lock between the spindle motor and the frequency of the reference signal. Duty cycle phase locked mode will be determined by system losses e.g. drag torque, windage, biases, etc. This pulse width modulated control signal is coupled from the modulator 78 to the commutation logic circuit 36 (Figure 2) for purposes of controlling motor operation by appropriate regulation of the power stage circuit 32.

[0038] Figure 10 illustrates the power stage circuit 32 as controlled by the commutation logic circuit 36 for driving the spindle motor 12. More particularly the spindle motor 12 has a typical three-phase construction with three motor windings 88, 90, 92 connected in a conventional manner, such as in a delta configuration as shown. Each junction 93 between an adjacent pair of windings is coupled via a power connector 94 to a CMOS network coupled between a voltage source and ground, and controlled by the commutation logic circuit 36, which preferably also comprises a CMOS type logic circuit. That is, each winding junction 93 is coupled via its associated conductor 94 to the drain of two MOSFETs 96, 98, wherein the MOSFET 96 is of the p-channel type with its source coupled to the voltage source, and the MOSFET 98 is of the n-channel type with its source coupled through a low value resistance to ground. Accordingly, three p-channel MOSFETs 96 and three n-channel MOSFETs 98 are provided. The gates of all the MOSFETs 96, 98 are individually controlled by the commutation logic circuit 36 through appropriate signal gate lines 99.

[0039] With the foregoing power stage circuit, the commutation logic circuit 36 provides close control of the operation of the spindle motor 12 by regulating the time and sequence of gating of the MOSFETs. More particularly, for all three of the motor windings 88, 90, 92, the commutation logic circuit 36 appropriately gates the p-channel MOSFETs 96 with negative pulses and the n-channel MOSFETs 98 with positive pulses to switch those MOSFETs to the ON state and permit current to flow from the voltage source through the motor windings to ground. As is known for three-phase dc motors, the timing and sequence of the gating operation, and in conjunction with pulse width modulated control, directly controls motor speed, phase and torque. Importantly, with the MOSFET type switches, the power stage circuit 32 dissipates relatively little power and produces minimal heating due to minimal resistance, thereby permitting power-saving and space-efficient operation in a compact computer disk drive unit.

[0040] The phase and frequency locked operation of one spindle motor of a disk drive unit, as described above, can be utilised to obtain phase and frequency locked operation of two or more disk drive units for purposes of providing an enlarged data storage device. That is, additional disk drive units can be phased and frequency locked relative to the same reference signal, such that multiple disk drive units are phase and frequency locked with respect to each other. Alternatively, the servo index pulses or the like obtained from one phase and frequency locked disk drive unit can be applied as the reference signal to additional disk drive units for achieving similar phase and frequency locked operation thereof. The end result, importantly, is that multiple disk drive units can be ganged together to emulate a significantly enlarged computer data storage device.

Claims

1. A phase and frequency locked motor control system for controlling phase and frequency operation of a disk drive spindle motor (12), said system characterised by comprising: driving means for driving the spindle motor (12), said driving means including a motor power stage circuit (32) for supplying power to the motor, and a commutation logic circuit (36) for controlling operation of said power stage; means (40) for generating a motor signal representative of motor rotating frequency and phase; means (28) for generating a reference signal representative of a reference rotating frequency and phase; comparing means (38, 48) for comparing said motor signal with said reference signal and for generating an error signal representative of error between said motor signal frequency and phase and said reference signal frequency and phase; and error responsive means (78) responsive to said error signal for generating a pulse width modulated motor control signal having a duty cycle representative of said error, and for coupling said motor control signal to said commutation logic circuit (36) for regulating operation of said power stage circuit (32) to drive the motor in phase and frequency locked relation with said reference signal.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that said comparing means (38, 48) includes means (48) for generating a digital output error signal, and means (48) for converting said digital output error signal to an analog error signal (70), said error responsive means comprising means (78) for modulating said analog error signal to produce said pulse width modulated motor control signal.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 characterised in that said comparing means comprises an error detector (38) having means for generating a first output error signal when said motor signal frequency trails said reference signal frequency, a second output error signal when said motor signal frequency leads said reference signal frequency, a third output error signal when said motor signal frequency substantially matches said reference signal frequency and said motor signal phase trails said reference signal phase, and a fourth output error signal when said motor signal frequency substantially matches said reference signal frequency and said motor signal phase leads said reference signal phase, said error detector generating said first to fourth output signals one at a time in accordance with the frequency and phase of the motor signal relative to the reference signal.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that, in operation, said first and second output error signals comprise substantially constant signals, and said third and fourth output error signals comprise pulse width modulated signals.

5. A system as claimed in claim 3 or 4 characterised in that said comparing means further includes means (48) responsive to the generated one of said first to fourth output error signals generated by said error detector (38) for generating an analog error signal (70) representative of said error between said motor signal frequency and phase and said reference signal frequency and phase.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5 characterised in that said means for generating said analog error signal includes sampling means (48) for sampling the generated one of said first to fourth output error signals generated by said error detector (38) on a repetitive basis to generate said analog error signal.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6 characterised in that said sampling means includes means (54) for integrating the generated one of said first to fourth output signals generated by said error detector (38), a signal storage circuit (64, 66) and switch means (50, 52) for repetitively coupling said storage circuit to said integrating means (54) to transfer the signal integrated by said integrating means (64, 66) to said storage circuit.

8. A system as claimed in claim 6 or 7 characterised in that said error responsive means comprises modulating means (78) for modulating said analog error signal (70) to produce said pulse width modulated motor control signal.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8 characterised by including a loop filter (74) for filtering said analog error signal (70) for predetermined dynamic responsive characteristics to produce a filtered, analog error signal, said modulating means (78), in operation, modulating said filtered analog error signal.

10. A system as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that said comparing means comprises an error detector (38) for generating a first output error signal representative of said motor signal leading said reference signal, and a second output error signal representative of said motor signal trailing said reference signal, said error detector (38), in operation, generating said first and second output error signals one at a time, said comparing means further including an analog sample circuit (48) including means (54) for sampling and integrating the generated one of said first and second output error signals in a repetitive manner, a signal storage circuit (64, 66) and means (50, 52) for transferring the signal integrated by said integrating means to said storage circuit to produce an analog error signal (70) representative of said error, said error responsive means comprising means (78) for modulating said analog error signal to produce said pulse width modulated motor control signal.

11. A system as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that said power stage circuit (32) comprises a CMOS network including a plurality of MOSFETs gated individually by said commutation logic.

12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that, in operation, said motor signal comprises a servo index pulse.

13. A system as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that said motor control system is provided with each of a plurality of disk drive spindle motors (12), said means for generating a reference signal comprising means (28) for generating a common reference signal for said plurality of spindle motors.

14. A phase and frequency locked motor control system for controlling phase and frequency operation of a disk drive spindle motor (12), said system being charac­terised by comprising: means (32, 36) for driving the spindle motor, said driving means including a motor power stage circuit (32) for supplying power to the motor, and a commutation logic circuit (36) for controlling operation of said power stage; means (40) for generating a motor signal representative of motor rotating frequency and phase; means (28) for generating a reference signal representative of a reference rotating frequency and phase; an error detector (38) for receiving said motor signal and said reference signal and responding thereto to generate an output error signal representative of error between said motor signal frequency and/or phase and said reference signal frequency and/or phase; a sample circuit (48) including means (54) for sampling and integrating said output error signal to produce an analog error signal (70) representative of said frequency and/or phase error; and a modulator circuit (78) arranged to be driven by said analog error signal (70) to produce a pulse width modulated motor control signal having a duty cycle representative of said error, and for coupling said motor control signal to said commutation logic circuit (36) for regulating operation of said power stage circuit (32) to drive the spindle motor (12) in phase and frequency locked relation with said reference signal.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14 characterised in that said motor control system is provided with each of a plurality of disk drive spindle motors (12) to operate said spindle motors in frequency and phase locked relation.

16. A system as claimed in claim 14 or 15 charac­terised in that said sampling circuit (48) includes an integrator circuit (54) for producing a ramp signal which changes as a time function in a first direction when said motor signal frequency and/or phase trails said reference signal, and in a second direction when said motor signal frequency and/or phase leads said reference signal.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16 characterised in that said sampling circuit further includes a signal storage circuit (64, 66), and switch means (50, 52) for repetitively coupling said storage circuit to said integrator circuit (54) to transfer the signal integrated by said integrator circuit (54) to said storage circuit.

18. A system as claimed in claim 7, 10 or 17 characterised in that said storage circuit (64, 66) comprises a resistor-capacitor network having a storage capacitor (64) coupled to a voltage divider, said voltage divider reducing the effects of noise on the signal transferred to said storage circuit.

19. A phase and frequency locked motor control system for controlling phase and frequency operation of a disk drive spindle motor (12), said system being charac­terised by comprising: means (32, 36) for driving the spindle motor, said driving means including a motor power stage circuit (32) for supplying power to the motor, and a commutation logic for controlling operation of said power stage; means (40) for generating a motor signal representative of motor rotating frequency and phase; means (28) for generating a reference signal representative of a reference rotating frequency and phase; an error detector circuit (32) having first and second output ports (44, 46), said error detector circuit including means for comparing said motor signal and said reference signal and responding thereto to produce an output error signal defined by a substantially constant output error signal at said first output port (44) when said motor signal frequency trails said reference signal frequency, a pulse width modulated output error signal at said first output port and having a duty cycle representative of phase error when said motor signal frequency substan­tially matches said reference signal frequency and said motor signal phase trails said reference signal phase, a substantially constant output error signal at said second output port (46) when said motor signal frequency leads said reference signal frequency, and a pulse width modulated output error signal at said second output port when said motor signal frequency substan­tially matches said reference signal frequency and said motor signal phase leads said reference signal phase; an analog sample circuit (48) including a first analog switch (50) coupled to said first output port (44) and a second analog switch (52) coupled to said second output port (46), said first and second switches (50, 52) in operation closing in response to said output error signal at the associated one of said output ports, integrator means (54) for integrating and storing a charge in accordance with the time closure period of said analog switches, said charge defining an analog error signal; and means (78) for modulating said analog error signal to produce a pulse width modulated motor control signal having a duty cycle representative of error between said motor and reference signals, and for coupling said motor control signal to said commutation logic circuit (36) for regulating operation of said power stage to drive the motor in phase and frequency locked relation with said reference signal.

20. A method of controlling phase and frequency operation of a disk drive spindle motor (12) having a motor power stage circuit (32) for supplying power to the spindle motor, and a commutation logic circuit (36) for controlling operation of said power stage circuit, said method being characterised by comprising: generating a motor signal representative of motor rotating frequency and phase; generating a reference signal representative of a reference rotating frequency and phase; comparing said motor signal and said reference signal and for generating in response thereto an output error signal representative of error between the motor signal and the reference signal; converting the output error signal to a pulse width modulated motor control signal having a duty cycle representative of said error; and coupling the motor control signal to the commutation logic circuit for regulating operation of said power stage circuit to drive the motor in phase and frequency locked relation with the reference signal.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20 characterised in that said comparing step comprises generating a digital output error signal representative of frequency and phase error between the motor signal and the reference signal, converting the digital output error signal to an analog error signal, and converting the analog error signal to the pulse width modulated motor control signal.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21 characterised in that said comparing step comprises generating a first output error signal when said motor signal frequency trails said reference signal frequency, a second output error signal when said motor signal frequency leads said reference signal frequency, a third output error signal when said motor signal frequency substantially matches said reference signal frequency and said motor signal phase trails said reference signal phase, and a fourth output error signal when said motor signal frequency substantially matches said reference signal frequency and said motor signal phase leads said reference signal phase, said error signal generating step including generating the first to fourth output signals one at a time in accordance with the frequency and phase of the motor signal relative to the reference signal.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22 characterised in that said first and second output error signals comprise substantially constant signals, and said third and fourth output error signals comprise pulse width modulated signals.

24. A method as claimed in claim 22 or 23 charac­terised in that said comparing step further includes responding to the generated one of said first to fourth output error signals for generating an analog error signal representative of said error between said motor signal frequency and phase and said reference signal frequency and phase.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24 characterised in that said step of generating the analog error signal includes sampling the generated one of said first to fourth output error signals on a repetitive basis to generate said analog error signal.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 characterised in that said sampling step includes integrating the generated one of said first to fourth output signals and transferring the resultant integrated signal to a signal storage circuit.

27. A method as claimed in claim 20 characterised in that said comparing step comprises generating one at a time a first output error signal representative of the motor signal leading the reference signal, and a second output error signal representative of the motor signal trailing the reference signal, said comparing step further including sampling and integrating the generated one of said first and second output error signals in a repetitive manner, and transferring the resultant integrated signal to a signal storage circuit to produce an analog error signal representative of the error between the motor and reference signals.

28. A method as claimed in claim 27 characterised in that said converting step comprises pulse width modulating the analog error signal.

29. A method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 28 characterised by including the step of supplying a common reference signal to multiple disk drive spindle motors.

30. A method of controlling phase and frequency operation of a disk drive spindle motor (12) having a motor power stage circuit (32) for supplying power to the motor and a commutation logic circuit (36) for controlling operation of said power stage circuit, said method being characterised by comprising: generating a motor signal representative of motor rotating frequency and phase; generating a reference signal representative of a reference rotating frequency and phase; comparing the motor signal and the reference signal and responding thereto to generate an output error signal represen­tative of error between the motor signal and the reference signal; sampling and integrating the output error signal to produce an analog error signal represen­tative of said error; pulse width modulating the analog error signal to produce a pulse width modulated motor control signal having a duty cycle representative of the error; and coupling the motor control signal to said commutation logic circuit for regulating operation of said power stage circuit to drive the motor in phase and frequency locked relation with the reference signal.

31. A method as claimed in claim 30 characterised in that said sampling and integrating step includes producing a ramp signal which changes as a time function in a first direction when the motor signal trails the reference signal, and in a second direction when the motor signal leads the reference signal.

Drawing